Toolbox Activities

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  • With your Cohort Group, analyze various communications currently being used in each of your schools: i.e. grade reports, newsletters, letters to parents on low grades, expulsion, tardies, and the like. Develop a communication plan that all staff should use along with sample letters, phrases, etc. that should accompany various difficult and congratulatory situations.
  • Parent letter.doc
    Toolbox #2.doc

  • Study with your Cohort Group the effectiveness of giving all students school letters or awards. Ask students how they feel about all students receiving awards and which awards "count." Journal your findings.
    Toolbox #3.doc


  • Determine if your school is "invitational" to parents. With your Cohort Group, devise a simple survey that each member can use at parent conferences.
    Culture Survey.doc

  • With your Cohort Group, research ways students in Iowa and in the nation are contributing to their communities. Make a list of 10 possibilities you feel might meet your school and student needs and share with staff members.
    Community Service through Schools.doc

  • Many meetings use "ground rules" so as to help all persons feel safe, ensure all persons are heard and can participate, and guide appropriate behaviors. Discuss with your Cohort Group ground rules you think do not prohibit good conversation or turn off participants and form a list of ones you feel are the most necessary. Journal what you learned:
    Ground Rules for Effective Meetings.docx

  • Working with your Cohort Group, generate a dialogue about what collaboration looks like, feels like, acts like, and accomplishes. Arrive at consensus on a clear definition including all of the components. Journal.
    Collaboration.docx